LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama Softball team split their doubleheader against Trevecca Nazarene on Saturday to win the series, 2-1.
West Alabama (25-8-1, 16-5) marched back from a seven-run deficit in Game Two of the series, winning 8-7. In Game Three, Trevecca Nazarene (12-13, 8-13 GSC) avoided the sweep, by taking the contest, 8-4.
UWA hit the ball extremely well, accumulating 26 hits and a .406 batting average while TNU recorded 20 hits through the two games.
GAME TWO: UWA 8, TNU 7
Megan Roe got the start for the Tigers and was relived by Ann Marie Stanbridge in the third inning after allowing five earned runs.
TNU took an early lead in the second inning with three runs, including RBI hits by Annabelle Ellis and Kyleigh Burgett. West Alabama responded in third, scoring two runs. Stanbridge hit a towering two-run homer, narrowing the deficit.
Trevecca Nazarene extended its lead to 7–2 with a four-run inning, highlighted by a solo home run from Bailey Goad and a two-run double by Ellis.
West Alabama cut into the lead in the fourth inning with three runs. Jessica Rose's RBI single and Stanbridge's two-RBI single brought the score to 7–5.
In the fifth inning, Rose hit a two-run double, tying the game at 7–7. The Tigers managed to shut down TNU's offense in the fifth.
Stanbridge's second home run of the game in the sixth inning gave West Alabama the lead for the first time at 8–7. After scoring eight unanswered runs, UWA held TNU scoreless in the final frame to secure an impressive, 8-7 win to clinch the series.
Stanbridge showcased her effectiveness by scoring two runs, collecting four hits, and driving in four RBIs, including two home runs. On the mound, she pitched 4.1 innings, allowing only three hits and no earned runs, earning a win to improve her record to 3-1. Rose contributed with one run scored, three hits, and three RBIs, adding a double and a stolen base to her performance. Trinity Brooks scored twice and registered three hits, also stealing a base. Carolyn Cagle added two runs and two hits, along with a stolen base, in her efforts to support the team.
GAME THREE: TNU 8, UWA 4
Eleanor De Block got the start and was only able to go 1.0 inning before being relieved by Stanbridge in the second.
Trevecca Nazarene opened with a strong first inning, scoring three runs. Addy Grace Summers reached first on an error and eventually scored, followed by Bailey Goad and Sarah Kinderdine, bringing the score to 3–0.
UWA responded in the bottom half. Stanbridge singled and was later brought home thanks to an RBI-triple from ShaKeria Washington. Watson then hit a single, scoring Washington and narrowing the gap to 3–2 after one inning.
In the second inning, the Trojans added two more runs with Summers and Goad crossing the plate, extending its lead to 5–2. The Tigers were unable to score in its half, keeping the score at 5–2.
West Alabama made a comeback attempt in the third inning. After Stanbridge singled, Watson hit a two-run homer to right center, bringing the score to 5–4.
TNU continued its scoring in the fourth inning. Abby Faires scored on a sacrifice fly, and Sarah Nicholson added another run on a double by Annabelle Ellis, pushing the lead to 7–4.
In the fifth inning, TNU added another run as Goad scored unearned, making it 8–4. The Trojans would hold on to their lead for the remainder of the game to avoid the sweep.
West Alabama will be back on the road on Tuesday for a doubleheader against Miles College that's set for 2:00 p.m.
